CD Review: Kathrine Windfeld Big Band

(Review by Lance).

A compelling album by an outstanding Danish Big Band. Not a swing band by any means and, although there are foot-tapping moments, mainly it's a contemporary ensemble with barely a do-wa-do-wa-do-wa in sight. Instead, Ms. Windfeld successfully, and originally, explores territories previously prospected by Gil Evans, Mingus, George Russell, Kenny Wheeler, Mike Westbrook and Mike Gibbs among others. She does it well and loses nothing in comparision to her better known, outside of Denmark, contemporaries.

At only 30-year-old, the world is surely Kathrine's oyster if she can continue in this vein. This pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader must soon be performing at Ronnie's, Birdland and jazz festivals across the world.

Of course, behind every great bandleader there is a great band and this is a great band. Tight ensembles, giving way to free explosions and some exciting solos - Including the lady on piano! Trumpet player Sørensen's solos could even have given the album a subtitle - A Kind of [Danish] Blue.

Lance.
Kathrine Windfeld (piano, composer, arranger, MD); André Bak, Rolfe Thofte Sørensen, Magnus Oseth (trumpet/flugel); Göran Abelli, Mikkel Aagaard, Anders Larson (trombone); Jakob Lundbak, Jakub Wiecek (alto); Roald Elm Larsen , Ida Karlsson (tenor); Toke Reins (baritone); Viktor Sandström (guitar); Johannes Vaht (bass); Henrik Hansen (drums).
Available in UK on CD or LP July 28.
Label Stunt.
UK distribution - Discovery.